Process of and apparatus for drying or desiccating liquids.



L. P. MICK & G. WEISS.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR DRYING 0R DESICCATING LIQUIDS.

u APPLICATION FILED MAY 24. I 9I5. 1,l?6,7 Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

3 SHEET SHEET I.

L. P. MICK & G. WEISS.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR DRYING 0R DESICCATING LIQUIDS.

APPLiCATION HLED MAY 24. ms.

Patented Man, 21, 1916.

3 SHEETS-*SHEET 2.

L. P. MlCK & G. WEISS. v I PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR DRYING 0R DES|CCAT|NG.LIOU|DS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24. I915. 1,176,078, Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

3 SHEETS SHtET 3.

LESLIE I. MICK AND GEORGE WEISS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; SAID WEISS ASSIGNOR TO SAID MICK.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR DRYING OR DESICCATING LIQUIDS. 4

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, LESLIE P. MICK and Gnonon Wnrss, citizens of the UnitedStates, residing in Chicago, county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of and Apparatus for Drying or Desiccating Liquids, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in process of and apparatus for drying or desiccating liquids and semi-liquids, particularly adapted, though not necessarily limited in its use for exhausting the moisture from milk, eggs and other albuminous substances, as well as from starch, malt, and other glutinous liquids, and one of the objects of the invention is to' provide an improved process and apparatus of this character for so treating and drying liquids or substances without first necessitating the condensation of the liquid in a vacuum pan, so that the solids are unchanged chemically or physically, while at the same time the solid substances or fluid are brought into a, state of fine subdivision and the particles delivered to an extended heated surface of traveling elements, and subjected to heated currents of a drying fluid.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of this character having a maximum drying surface and a maximum delivery of the liquid or substance to such surface to be desiccated thereon.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of an improved apparatus by means of which this improved process may be carried out and as taken on line 1, 1, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a left hand end elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a View taken on line 33, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view taken on line 44, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional View taken on line 55, Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional View taken on line 66, Fig. 4. Fig. 7 isan enlarged detail view partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the manner in -which the scrapers or deflectors may be seshaft 10 of any desired length is rotatably supported in suitable bearings 11, supported by uprights. Arranged upon the shaft 10 are disks 12, which are spaced from each other longitudinally of the shaft 10' by means of suitable spacing elements 13. These disks may be of any desired size,-but are preferably about six feet in diameter and may be spaced any desired distance, but good results have been obtained by spacing the disks one inch apart. be constructed of any desired material and the disks'and spacing elements are held against separation so as to rotate with the shaft 10 in any suitable manner such as by means of a collar 14 which is arranged adjacent one end of the series of disks and held against displacement longitudinally of the shaft 10 by means of another collar 15 secured to the shaft. An element 16 is arranged adjacent the collar 14 and also abuts the end disk 12 and this element 16 is preferably in the form of a spider as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. A similar element 17 preferably in the form ofa-spider as shown more clearly in Fig. 2 is mounted adjacent the other end of the series of disks 12 and a collar18 abuts this element 16. The shaft 10 is provided with a series of threads 19 upon which a collar 20 is threaded so that by screwing the collar 20 on the threads 19 against the-collar 18, the disks l2 and the spacing members will be forced tightly into engagement and will be thereby secured to the shaft 10 for rotation therewith.

The shaft 10 may be rotated in any desired or suitable manner, such as by means of a worm wheel 21 connected to the shaft andwhich meshes with a worm 22, secured to a shaft 23 carrying a gear 24 that meshes with a gear 25 on a shaft 26 and on which shaft 26 is a pulley 27, over which a drive belt 28 passes so that when thepulley 27 is rotated motion will be imparted to the shaft 10. The disks 12 are arranged to rotate beneath a hood or cover 29 constructed of any desired or suitable material and this in turn is covered with a heat insulating material 30, and the endsof the cover are.supported These disks 12 may by end members 31 with which the spiders 16, 17 have sliding engagement.-

An inlet 3:2 is provided adjacent the bottom of the hood, while an outlet 33 is also provided adjacent the hood but spaced from the inlet, and the inlet 32 and the outlet 33 extend in directions lengthwise of the shaft 10 and transversely with respect to the disks 12. The blast of a hot heating fluid is introduced-into the hood or casing through the inlet 32 preferably at a temperature from three hundred to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit and is so distributed that the-- lar deflectors 35 are arranged adjacent the outlet 33 for directing the heating fluid therethrough. These deflectors 34, 35 being so arranged as to prevent the heatlng fluid from making a direct passage from the inlet 32 to the outlet 33.

Arranged preferably adjacent the bottom of the machine and in proximity to the outlet 33 to run lengthwise of the apparatus, is a liquid supply pipe 36 of any suitable diameter, and leading from this supply pipe are a plurality of pipes 37, which extend upwardly between each pair of disks and these pipes 37 contain small perforations on' opposite sides thereof and through which perforations, the liquid is delivered to form a thin film on each side of the disks.

The liquid is fed through the pipe 36 and pipes 37 in any suitable manner.

Arranged between each pair of disks 12, is a scraper 38 for, scraping the dry powder from the disks 12. A convever 39 is arranged adjacent the bottom of the machine for receiving the-powder as it is scraped from the disks and for conveying it away to a suitable point.

This conveyer 39 is here shown as being i of the spiral type and is operated in any suitable manner, such as by means of a' sprocket chain 40, which passes over a sprocket wheel 41 on the shaft 26 and also over a sprocket wheel 42 on a stub shaft 43,

and to which shaft 43 is secured a gear 44 that meshes with a gear 45 secured to the shaft of the conveyer 39. The scrapers 38"- and deflectors 34, 35 may be secured in position in any suitable manner, but are each provided with a depending portion 46 that abuts a projection 47. and with which projection 47 a clamping member 48' coiipernecessity of individually fastening each of the scrapers and deflectors and permits the ready removal of any one or more of the deflectors. or scrapers without interfering with the rest.

' In use, the disks 12 are revolved, at. any

desired speed, preferably at the ,rate of one complete revolution every two minutes, or just fast enough for the liquid to become thoroughly dry by the time it reaches the scrapers. The liquid to be dried is introduced through the pipes 36, 37 and as the disks are heated by the blast of hot heating fluid, the liquid which is sprayed upon the disks not only contacts with the heated disks, but the hot heating fluid will come into contact with a thin film of liquid which is spread over the large surfaces of the disks. This will cause the steam to be driven off and the moisture which rises from the liquid in the casing will be absorbed by ghekhot fluid and by contact with the heated is s.

The liquid will become thoroughly dried by the time it reaches the scraper-s 38 and these scrapers will scrape or remove the fine dry-film of powder from the disks and deliver it tothe conveyor 39.

The heating fluid entering the machine at the inlet 32 is deflected upwardly by the deflectors 34 and these deflectors are so arranged that they will not contact with the disks to scape the liquid or powder therefrom and this is also true of the deflectors 35, but the deflectors operate to deflect the heating fluid through the upperportion of the mechanism and allow only a small amount to circulate through to the scrapers and conveyer. The deflectors 35 also operate film to be too thick or heavy for practical drying purposes, they will scrape off the thick liquid and will destroy the bubbles,

leaving the liquid on the surface of the disks in a thin film so that the heating fluid can easily absorb the moisture therein. The excess liquid delivered to the disks through the pipes 37 may be delivered into a suitable receptacle 50 which is preferably arranged adjacent the supply pipe 36 and thepipes 37, and this receptacle may be provided with an outlet pipe 51. Obviously the liquid may be supplied the disks in a manner that would cause the i vacuum pan and that the apparatus is provided with a maximum heating or drying.

surface. Furthermore, this improved method is 'much more rapid and economical than the methods and apparatus heretoforerality of laterally spaced rotating disks, a casingin which the disks are arranged .to rotate, means for directing a current of heating fluid through the casing and against the disks, means disposed be- 70 tween the disks for spraying the substance against the lateral faces of the disks, scrap V ers operating between the disks for removemployed. and asthe liquid is dried by a hot blast of heating fluid, the dry powder will be thoroughly soluble in water and will contain only about two or three per cent.

. moisture, while at the same'time it will be 1 .While the preferred form very low in bacteria count; a

of apparatus for carrying out this process has been herein shown and described, it is to be understood 1 that numerous changes ma be made in the details of construction, an in the combination and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit of this invention.

- What is claimedas new is: 1

1. The process of obtaining the solid constituents of liquids and semi-liquids in the form of owder, which consists in directing and con ing a current of heating fluid against a plurality of spaced rotating disks, conducting the substance between the disks and spraylng it over the lateral surface of the disk, scraping the dry powder from the face of the disk, and discharging the dry powder separately from the heating fluid and vapor.

2. An apparatus for obtaining the solid constituents of liquids and semi-liquids in the form of powder, embodying a plurality of laterally spaced rotating disks, a casing in which the disks are arranged to rotate, means for directing a current of heating fluid through the casing and against the disks, means disposed between the disks for sprayin .the substance against the lateral,

faces 0 the disks, and scrapers operating between the disks for removing the dry powder from the disks.

3. An apparatus for obtaining the solid constituents of liquids and semi-liquids in the form of powder, embodying a plurality of laterally spaced rotating disks, a casing in which the disks are arranged to rotate,

means for directing a current of heating fluid through the casing and against the disks, means disposed between the disks for spraying the substance against the lateral faces of the disks, scrapers operating between the disks for removing the dry pow der from the disks, and deflectors for the heating fluid, said deflectors disposed adjacent the inlet and outlet of the said heating fluid.

4. An apparatus for obtaining the'solid constituents of liquids and semi-liquids in the form of powder, embodying a pludeflectors ope ing the dry'powder from the disks, and deflectors for the heating fluid, one of said ating todistribute the fluid over the dis surface. a 1

5. An apparatus for obtaining the solid constituents of liquids and semi-liquids in the form of powder, embodying a plurality of laterall spacedrotating disks, a casing in whicii 'the disks are arranged to rotate, means for directing a; current of heating fluid through the casing and I against the disks, means disposed between 35 the disks for spraying the substance against the lateral faces of the disks, scrapers operating between the disks for removing the dry powder from the disks, and means for catchingand confining the surplus substance deliveredtothe disks.

6. An apparatus for obtaining the solid constituents of liquids and semi-liquids in powder form, embodying a plurality of laterally spaced rotating disks, a casing within which the disks rotate, said casing having an inlet for a current of heatin fluid and an outlet therefor, said heating u-id during its passage through the casing circulating against the disks, spray pipes disposed between the disks for spraying the substance I against the disks, and scrapersdisposed be tween the disks .fori' emo. der from the disks. Y

7. An apparatus for obtaining the solid constituents of liquids and semi-liquids in powder form, embodying a plurality of lat- I erally spaced rotating disks, a casing within which the disks rotate, said cas'ng having an inlet for a current of heating uid and an outlet therefor, said heating fluid during its passage through the casing circulating against the disks, spray pipes disposed between the disks for spraying the substance against the disks, scrapers disposed between the disks for removing the dry powder from the disks,- and means for catching and conveying away the dry powder.

8. An apparatus for obtaining the solid constituents of liquids and semi-liquids in 12o powder form, embodying a plurality of laterally spaced rotating disks, a casing within which the disks rotate, said casing having an inlet for a current of heating fluid and an 'outlet therefor, said heating fluid during its passage through the casing circulating against the disks, spray pipes disposed between the disks for spraying the substance against the disks, scrapers disposed between the disks for removing the dry powder from 13a ing the drypow-I the disks, and means for catching conveying away the dry powder separately V from the heating fluid and'the vapor.

.9. An apparatus for obtaining the solid constituents of liquids and semi-liquids in powder form, embodying a plurality of laterally spaced rotating disks, a casing within which the disks rotate, said casing having an inlet for a current of heating fluid and an outlet therefor, said heating fluid during its passage through the casing circulating against the disks, spray pipes disposed-between the disks for spraying the substance against the disks, scrapers disposed between the disks for removing the dry powder from the disks, and means for catching and confining the surplus liquid substance as it accumulates upon the disks.

10. An apparatus for obtaining the solid constituents of liquids and semi-liquids in powder form, embodying a plurality of laterally spaced rotating disks, a casing within the 'disks, and deflectors disposed between the disks and within the path of the heating fluid for directing the fluid about and against the disks.

11. An apparatus for obtaining the solid constituents of liquids and semi-liquids in powder form, embodying a plurality of laterally spaced rotating disks, a casing within which the disks rotate, said casing having an inlet for a current of heating fluid and an outlet therefor, said heating fluid during its passage through the casing circulating against the disks, spray pipes disposed between the disks for spraying the substance against the disks, scrapers disposed between the disks for removing the dry powder from the disks, and deflectors for the heating I fluid, saiddeflectors disposedbetween said disks, some of said deflectors operating to regulate the thickness of the film of substance on the disk. v p

"12. An apparatus for obtaining the solid constituents of liquids and'semi-liquids in the form of powder, embodying a rotating disk like element, a casing in which the disk rotates, means for circulating a heating fluid through the casing and against the element, means disposed adjacent the lateral surface of the element for spraying the substance against such surface of the element, and a scraper operating against the lateral face of the element for removing the dry powder therefrom. 1

13. An apparatus for obtaining the solid constituentsof liquids and semi-liquids in the form of powder, embodying a rotating disk like element, a casing in which the element rotates, means for circulating a heating fluid through the casing and against the element, means disposed adjacent the lateral surface of the element for spraying the substance against such surface of the element, a scraper operating against the lateral face of the element for removing the drypowder therefrom, and means for receiving and conveying away the dry powder.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification, in the-presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this'2lst day of May A. D. 1915.

LESLIE P. MICK.- I GEORGE WEISS.

Witnesses:

J. H. JooHUM, Jr., FRANK N. REED.- 

